Read Mark 4:41. What question did they ask in their great fear?
“‘Who is this?’ (‘Even the wind and the waves obey Him.’)”
✭ Trying to wrap human language around holy exposure is like trying to cover a big screen TV with six inches of Christmas paper.
Do you understand from experience what I’m talking about? If so, how would you describe the way the Holy Spirit within you bears witness?
“He gives me insights on things that are relevant to my life at any particular season. (At least He does when I choose to let Him rather than preferring to let the noise, confusion, and busyness of daily life drown Him out.)”
One of my favorite ways that the spirit identifies his work within me is by teaching me something new or shedding fresh truth on a familiar concept.
Have you ever wept during a sermon not out of sadness, but out of the pure sense of God‘s presence and power? If so, when?
“Yes, though, sadly, most times haven’t made enough lasting impression on me that I can recall why today – years later. The only one coming to mind right now is from Beth, herself, from ‘Jesus, the One and Only.’ I still get choked up when I try to recall the connection she made between the Triumphal Entry and the Crucifixion. Jesus said that if the people hadn’t cried out His praise, the very rocks would. Then, as He died, they did with a rumbling earthquake! (For some reason, this always makes me weep with awe and appreciation of God’s power and Jesus’ importance and phenomenal sacrifice.)”
What happened in Acts 4:29-31?
“They asked to be able to speak boldly, to heal, and to work signs and wonders. An earthquake came, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Back to 1 Thessalonians 1:5. How did the apostle Paul say their gospel came to the Thessalonians?
“with power
“with the Holy Spirit
“with deep conviction”
Reflecting on this beautiful phenomenon, you’ve got to love how Jesus describe the way of the Holy Spirit. What does John 3:8 say about the Spirit?
“He is like the wind which blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.”
Take down as many parallels as possible between the properties of wind and how the Holy Spirit might work. Think beyond the most obvious.
“Heard but not seen
“Felt but not seen
“Mysterious ways
“Sometimes a gentle push,
Sometimes an overwhelming force
“Sometimes felt constantly for a length of time,
Sometimes in very short bursts
“Can make you feel uplifted and light or weighed down and heavy”
List every effect of the wind in [Acts 2:1-4]
“‘a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house’ (2)
“sound (2)
“tongues of fire (3)
“filling of Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues (4)”
Dearest Rachel –
I’ve often mentioned – especially in the last few years when I’ve been without you, since the absence is that much more keenly felt – that I don’t hear the voice of God directing my paths as I walk through life. Even when you were around, and before, I rarely sensed His direction in my life.
However, you speak of receiving insights at certain appropriate times in your life, and while I couldn’t point to a specific incident, I will admit to having had several of these “a-ha!” moment myself from time to time. Perhaps my problem is simply a matter of attribution, where I need to recognize His hand when it hands them to me.
As you point out, there is Jesus’ analogy of the wind. I tend to think of it as comparing ourselves to fish, who’ve (probably) no idea that they’re in water until they’re taken out of it. So too with us in air; true, the wind makes its presence felt from time to time, but the air surrounds us constantly. But because it’s always there, we find ourselves forgetting about its presence until it does something – usually something unpleasant, at which point, we rage at the heavens for it, completely overlooking all the pleasant breezes we assumed were the normal state of life. We don’t have the right to expect the wind at our back at all times… but we do, anyway.
Then again, the disciples asked for that much more from God; and God, knowing their motives just as He does ours, sent the Spirit down with that same rush of wind that identifies His presences, at which point, they could speak with all the wisdom that they needed to those around them. This doesn’t happen like that these days for so many reasons; in a (mostly) monolingual society, there’s no need to speak another language; we don’t think to ask for boldness (or, paradoxically, we lack the boldness to even ask for it); or we’re asking with motives that don’t glorify Him as much as they benefit ourselves.
I’m sure I’ve been guilty of the latter two conclusions often enough, to the point where a lot of prayers weren’t being answered; at which point, there’s the temptation to just give up on praying. Besides, He knows what I’d be saying to Him before I do, so why even get started? Although… that leads to another paradox; if I don’t say anything, He knows that, too, as opposed to what I might have said (at the same time, He knows what I theoretically would have said, as well). Still, I need to follow through that much more going forward.
And yes, this is occurring to me, for better or worse, as I’m writing this back to you. I suppose I should offer thanks for that little nudge, but I’m not sure if I should be crediting you… or Him.
Letters to Rachel 